Explosive-started generator



April 16, 1968 J. RABINOW EXPLOSIVE-STARTED GENERATOR Filed Jan. 31,1952 IN VEN TOR.

LT 11: uh Ruhinuw ATTORNEYS AGE/v7- United States Patent 3,377,954EXPLOSIVE-STARTED GENERATOR Jacob Rabinow, Takoma Park, Md., assignor tothe United States of America as represented by the Secretary 0f the ArmyFiled Jan. 31, 1952, Ser. No. 269,321 2 Claims. (Cl. 10270.2)

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government for governmental purposes without the payment of anyroyalty thereon.

This invention relates to electronic proximity fuses for explosivemissiles and more particularly to fuses of the class in which areincorporated air turbine means for driving an electrical generator.

In fuses of the above referred to type, a longitudinal duct is formed inthe nose of the fuse through which air passes while the missileis inflight to drive a turbine coupled to an electrical generator. It isessential that the generator be brought up to speed immediately uponfiring or launching the missile. In view thereof, the prime object ofthe invention is a new and novel means for instantly bringing thegenerator up to operating speed upon firing or launching of the missile.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects andadvantages thereof will clearly appear from the following descriptionand accompanying drawing in which the sole figure is a longitudinalsectional view of a fuse embodying the invention.

Referring now to the drawing wherein 1 generally indicates an electronictype of fuse having an ogive 2 of nonconductive material affixed to aconductive base member 3 which is in threaded engagement with themissile body 4 containing an explosive charge 5. Fixed in a longitudinalbore 6 of the ogive is a metallic tubular member 7 having one end 7bthreaded and in engagement with turbine housing 18 as indicated by 8.The housing 18 is provided with exhaust ports 30 which are sealed by anannular ring 21, preferably made of plastic. Positioned in the forwardend of member 7 is a high pressure gas explosive means 9 and a detonator10 therefor. The forward opening of the tubular member 7 is sealed bymeans of a protective cap 31. The rearward opening of said member opensinto a turbine chamber 18a. One lead 11 of the detonator is connected tothe member 7 and the other lead 12 is threaded through a perforation 7ain the tubular member and a channel 13 in the ogive to a metalliccontact ring 14 embedded in the peripheral surface of the ogive. Thelead 12 is soldered or otherwise fixed to the ring in a conventionalmanner.

The forward end of base member 3 is provided with a recess 15 in whichis fixed a housing 16 containing an electric generator and associatedelectronic means. The generator is coupled to a turbine 17 in housing 18by means of a shaft 19.

The rearward end of the base member is provided with 3,377,954 PatentedApr. 16, ISfiS a recess 22, separated from recess 15 by means of apartition 23 having a perforation 24 formed centrally therein. A housing25 containing a detonator 25a and booster 25b is placed in the recess22. Leads 26-27 passing through the perforation 24 connect the output ofthe electronic means with the detonator in housing 25. The launchingmeans 29 is provided with a resilient contact member 32 for engagementwith the ring 14 upon launching of the missile. The resilient member 32is insulated from the launching means and is connected to one terminalof an electric energy supply 28. The other terminal of the electricenergy supply is connected to the launching means 29.

When the missile is fired, resilient member 32 momentarily contacts thering 14 to close the circuit formed by the detonator 10, tubular member7, housing 18, base 3 and body 4 in contact with the launching means 29.As this circuit is completed, current flows through it to actuate thedetonator 10 which fires the means 9. The expanding gases from the means9 expel cap 31 and annular seal 21 and at the same time impart rapidinitial rotation to turbine 17.

It will be apparent that the embodiment shown is only exemplary and thatvarious modifications can be made in construction and arrangement withinthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a turbo-generator powered fuse for explosive missiles, means forcausing rapid initial rotation of the turbine of said turbo-generator,said means comprising a nonconductive ogive, a longitudinal bore in saidogive, said bore open to the air at its forward end and to aturbogenerator housing at its rearward end, a metallic duct in saidbore, an annular metallic ring embedded in the peripheral surface ofsaid ogive, an electric detonator and high pressure gas producing meanspositioned in the forward end of said duct, one lead of the detonatorbeing affixed to said duct, the other lead of said detonator beingaffixed to said annular ring, said ring upon firing of the projectilemaking contact with the electrical contact means on a launcher to causeactuation of the detonator, the actuation of said detonator firing thehigh pressure gas producing means whereupon the high pressure gas flowsthrough said duct to cause initial rotation of said turbine.

2. The invention as set forth in claim 1 wherein said high pressure gasproducing means comprises an explosive charge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/ 1949 Senn 107-70.2 7/ 1951Clapham -39.47

D. D. DOTY, W. J. CURRAN, T. H. WEBB,

Assistant Examiners.

1. IN A TURBO-GENERATOR POWERED FUSE FOR EXPLOSIVE MISSILES, MEANS FORCAUSING RAPID INITIAL ROTATION OF THE TURBINE OF SAID TURBO-GENERATOR,SAID MEANS COMPRISING A NONCONDUCTIVE OGIVE, A LONGITUDINAL BORE IN SAIDOGIVE, SAID BORE OPEN TO THE AIR AT ITS FORWARD END AND TO ATURBOGENERATOR HOUSING AT ITS REARWARD END, A METALLIC DUCT IN SAIDBORE, AN ANNULAR METALLIC RING EMBEDDED IN THE PERIPHERAL SURFACE OFSAID OGIVE, AN ELECTRIC DETONATOR AND HIGH PRESSURE GAS PRODUCING MEANSPOSITIONED IN THE FORWARD END OF SAID DUCT, ONE LEAD OF THE DETONATORBEING AFFIXED TO SAID DUCT, THE OTHER LEAD OF SAID DETONATOR BEINGAFFIXED TO SAID ANNULAR RING, SAID RING UPON FIRING OF THE PROJECTILEMAKING CONTACT WITH THE ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS ON A LAUNCHER TO CAUSEACTUATION OF THE DETONATOR, THE ACTUATION OF SAID DETONATOR FIRING THEHIGH PRESSURE GAS